WHO WE ARE
A little history
Here’s a more polished, sensible, story-driven paragraph that keeps your voice and message intact:
Trawlers Great Lakes truly began back in the fall of 2002—long before the name existed. A father-and-son team was given the opportunity to represent a high-quality pilothouse trawler brand, Nordic Tugs, and that moment quietly set our course. Operating as Bay Breeze Yacht Sales for nearly two decades, we experienced our share of ups, downs, and valuable lessons. Those years made one thing clear: it’s time to narrow our heading and fully embrace what we know best—trawlers. We’re still right where we started, surrounded by the same waters and many of the same people, but the focus has been sharpened. We’re taking a few entries from the old logbook, turning to a fresh page, and setting new waypoints for the journey ahead.
Change is constant
Growth is optional
Change isn’t always fun, but adaptation to change will be. Bay Breeze Yacht Sales to Trawlers Great Lakes.
The Pilot House
Jay Kraft
Sales and Brokerage
Water and boats have been a constant part of Jay’s timeline. Pushing his 8′ rowing pram off the beach of Houghton Lake to running a Gunboat 48 up and down the East Coast has enhanced that timeline. A co-founder of Bay Breeze Yacht Sales and Trawlers Great Lakes has provided a running 18 years of experience with trawlers and what their all about.
Andrew O’Dwyer
Sales and Brokerage
USP Certified Instructor
Originally from Australia, Andrew has called Northern Michigan home for over a decade. He holds a USCG Captain’s License and is a certified US Powerboating Instructor. With an impressive offshore racing and cruising background, Andrew has completed three Transpac races—winning two of them. Adding to his expertise, he is also an ABYC-certified marine electrician, bringing valuable technical skills to the team.
Michele Derouin
USCG Captain
USP Certified Instructor
Michele is the friendly voice you hear when you call TGL, managing office administration for our trawler school and charters. Beyond her role in the office, she is a licensed USCG Captain and one of fewer than ten women nationwide to hold certification as a US Powerboating Instructor. A lifelong sailor who has come to appreciate the trawler lifestyle, Michele finds the greatest joy in seeing clients on the dock, mastering new boat-handling skills.
Tim Wieringa
USCG Captain
USP Certified Instructor
Tim first joined TGL as a client before becoming a valued member of our team. He and his wife, Martha, attended our trawler school in 2019, are now proud owners of a beautiful Nordic Tug 37 and having completed “The Loop” in 2023, Tim has earned his USCG Captain’s License and US Powerboating Instructor Certification. He is our go-to specialist for Nordic Tug deliveries, both new and brokerage, as well as familiarization training. Tim and Martha are often found on our docks after hours, serving as welcoming Ambassadors to TGL clients.
Preston Claytor
USCG Captain
Preston is our resident big-boat aficionado. His ownership history spans two Flemings, a Nordhavn, a Nordic Tug, and a Vagabond 42 sailboat. He’s a two-time Great Loop veteran and has raced to Bermuda multiple times. A boater through and through, Preston’s broad and well-rounded experience is a tremendous asset to TGL.
Patrick Michael
USCG Captain
USP Certified Instructor
Patrick’s introduction to TGL came through as a charter client. After his own charter experience, he was hooked—and quickly set his sights on joining our team. Following the completion of his USCG license and US Powerboating Instructor certification in the fall of 2025, we’re excited to welcome Patrick to our instructor staff and the broader TGL team.
Kent Sisk
USCG Captain
USP Certified Instructor
Bio Coming Soon
Joe Bucceri
USCG Captain
USP Certified Instructor
Bio Coming Soon
How we came to be
A need wanting to be met.
It became clear to us one summer day that the trawler community needed a dedicated source—one with purpose, focus, and a genuine commitment to helping people gain experience. We looked for it. It didn’t exist. And chasing “biggest” or “most inventory” has never matched our boutique approach.
As the marine industry drifts toward broad generalization, true specialization has become harder to find. Trawlers Great Lakes is intentionally different. We focus on trawlers—sharing what we’ve learned, helping others develop their skills, and supporting those who feel the same pull toward this lifestyle.
That’s our “why,” and we’re staying true to it.
Where We Are
Get in touch
We’re no further away than technology allows. Call us, fire off an email or fill out the form and hit send. Lets talk trawlers!
Visit our location in the CenterPointe Marina Complex
12935 S W Bay Shore Drive Ste 115
Traverse City, Michigan 49684
Phone: 231-941-5884
Contact Us
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